Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 44-year-old Petaluma man after a short pursuit on a motorcycle last night. At about 10:45 PM a deputy attempted to stop a motorcycle for a mechanical infraction as it left the Graton Casino. The driver, Joseph Shopes led deputies on an approximate 2-mile pursuit east on Golf Course Dr to Hillview, Holly and Gladstone at speeds of around 50 mph. Shopes lost control of his motorcycle as he hit a raised curb on Gladstone and crashed.
Shopes got back up and started running westbound on Gladstone Wy. The deputy gave foot chase for about 70 yards at which point Shopes gave up and went down to his stomach in the 1500 block of Gladstone Wy. The deputy took him into custody without further incident.
A records check revealed that Shopes had a warrant out of Santa Clara for driving on a suspended license. Shopes license was currently suspended and was on probation. He was ultimately arrested for felony evading a peace officer, driving on a suspended license and violating probation along with his arrest warrant. He was booked into the Sonoma County Jail on $31,000 bail.
Prepared By: Sgt. Spencer Crum
CR 170929-029
Media Inquiries 707-565-3941
